simple 8-step tutorial

Done in Photoshop CS.
Uses selective coloring.

HOWEVER, prinsesa9 said this also works in GIMP here.

This is my first tutorial so I hope it's adequate.
Images with every step + screencap of layers.



1. Get your picture! I used the fifth from the bottom from THIS IMAGE, uploaded to kfashion by epikish.
I think using one of those pictures would make an almost-identical outcome ^^

2. Cut/crop/resize to your liking.

QUICK TIP: Merge all layers down BEFORE resizing to elimnate that dreadful transparent-like border around the image.

I ended up with:

Just cut and resized (:

3. Now make a Selective Coloring layer with these adjustments:

REDS
-58 / 0 / +35 / +28
BLACKS
0 / 0 / 0 / +11

Don't forget to play around since every image is different. The main point of this step is to bring out the blacks and make the skin seem more lively and less pale.

Your image should now look something like:


4. Create a new layer and fill it with #E1CDAC. Set to Multiply; mine is opacity 100%.



5. Create a new layer and fill it with #FF1A10. Set to Soft Light; mine is opacity 10%. If your graphic ends up too red, or you want it more red, decrease or increase the opacity.



6. Create yet another new layer and fill it with #ACDCDA (last one, I promise!). Set to Color Burn; mine is opacity 100%. If your icon becomes too blue-greenish, then lower the opacity.



7. Next, create a Hue/Saturation layer, and increase the saturation to +6. It doesn't make much of a difference, but I did it anyways.



8. I wanted a little more red in my header so I created a new Selective Color layer with the following settings:

YELLOWS
-48 / 0 / 0 / 0

And you're done! Add text or textures/brushes; whatever you like!
To achieve the effect of my text, type something in a white color, then set it to Soft Light; I changed my opacity to 45%. Fiddle with it :D!

Finished product:


Here's a screencap of the .psd in case anyone wanted to see it:

The reason why I still have a background is because I merged-and-resized in a separate window and then pasted it in a new one.


Hope that was helpful!
Tell me what I need to improve on with my tutorial-making skills and dont hesitate to ask questions ^^